April 22, 2026 • 22 mins
A championship tennis match becomes a flashpoint between French colonial power and Vietnamese resistance. Newly returned American Joseph Sherman is drawn into a world of old friendships, dangerous loyalties and sudden desire — and by nightfall, one family is shattered.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
My name is Trim and this is Saigon, the story
of my family and of the country that shaped us.
The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however,
great take over another time.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
O allow.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
God, who got from natural excursion, has brought only.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Come you to get out with you wand a bad
very babler sounds babler.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
That can be no peace without justice, and that can
be no justice without peace.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Chapter one.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
In nineteen thirty five, a tennis match was played in
Saigon Serk sportieth, but it was far from an ordinary
tennis match. It was the final of the Saigon City
Championship and the first time ever a Vietnamese national had
qualified to play against the French champion, Jewel Pino. Only
(01:29):
a few years earlier, our French rulers had needed tanks
and artillery to defeat a proud Vietnamese resistance demanding independence,
and after gaining victory, they guillotined over two hundred Vietnamese insurgents.
But the widespread desire for independence had not been defeated.
(01:52):
It had only been silenced, and now behind the genteel
mask of a tanness match, it exploded to the surface.
There are two young men in the crowd watching the game,
(02:15):
an American and a Frenchman. They had been childhood friends
and had met again after eleven years. That very morning,
in fact, when the American whose name is Joseph, arrived
at the Continental Palace hotel in Saigon.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Bonjour, I have a room booked. The name's Joseph Sherman. Joseph, I, yes, Joseph,
But my god, it really is you.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
So good to see you again, Mona mee.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
God.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
You haven't changed the.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
Beats, neither of you. But how did you even know
I was coming?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
You made the morning's papers look Senator Sherman's returns to
Saigon ten years after tragedy.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Let me see that. Okay, well that's unexpected.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
It made me think about well they were good times,
but about your father too. What about coffee du cafes?
You believe? Yes? Now, what are you to, Joseph? Tell
me everything.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
I'm actually here writing a piece for the chronicle. But honestly,
what I really wanted to do was having excuse to
come back.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
What about you now? I'm with the Jean de Marie.
Speaker 7 (03:40):
The Gendarmerie. I never saw you as a policeman. You're
always a bit of a rebel.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
I'm the sort of Frenchman who wants to keep law
in order by embracing Vietnamese culture, not fighting it.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
See that sounds like Paul I knew when I was Gosh,
what were we fifteen sixteen.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
On that hunting trip. I just turned sixteen.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Pretty young when you think about it.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Well, there have been some exciting times while you've been away.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
You mean the battle for independence.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Yes, that was ugly. Luckily we brought everything back under control,
though I'm.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
Sure you did, although I doubt you've really changed the
way the Vietnamese feel.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
No, but we have stopped the violence. They're learning to
be civilized now. In fact, you should come out to
the circus partif today there is a tennis match on
the men's singles final. Actually, May, what's the time we
have to go now? Absolutely more drink up. The whole
(04:50):
city is treating this tennis match like a proxy fight
between the locals and their French masters. That's how they
express their feelings. Now, you see on the tennis court,
much more reasonable and in fact, you love this the
local boys. Tran Van Kim.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
You mean our Kim. It's a skinny, shy kid who
followed us everywhere.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
That's him.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
That's incredible. I'd be good to see him again.
Speaker 5 (05:16):
He's become quite a plain boy.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
You don't say.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
And you remember Kim's sister.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Land, Yeah, and she never said much. She's a little girl.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
Right, Well, she's a real beauty now shes suplay. Come on, we're.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Here, well, Land, you sounds smitten.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
She's twenty now and she wears the Audai like an angel.
So beautiful. Well, a man can dream, Joseph and plan,
but I have to impress her father more than her.
That's the first step. Yes, of course, this way, members enclosure.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Excuse him?
Speaker 5 (06:03):
What yes, JEPPI.
Speaker 8 (06:11):
Captain of course, excuse enjoy the match.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Your name obviously opens gates.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
It's because of my father than me. Oh, he's in
the administration.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
What's happening over there?
Speaker 5 (06:28):
That's him. That's Kim in the middle of all those
young women. I told you he's a bit of a playboy.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Now it's not a skinny, shy kid anymore.
Speaker 5 (06:38):
Well not anymore. Oh, we're over here. Excuse me to play?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Thank you?
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Excuse him.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
They threaded their way to the members enclosure, which was
a roped off section of the best seats square, Joseph Land.
Speaker 9 (06:56):
It is Joseph, isn't it Joseph Sherman.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
You remember him?
Speaker 9 (07:01):
Of course, I've read you were back. Oh, and such
a pleasure to see you again, Monster.
Speaker 7 (07:07):
Devo likewise likewise, but you were just I never would
have recognized you.
Speaker 9 (07:12):
Yes, I was just a little girl when you were
here the first time. But it's so good to see
you again.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Sorry, I'm amazed you remember me.
Speaker 9 (07:19):
You made quite an impression a teenage American boy who
was so kind to his friend's little sister.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Good. I hope seeing me again doesn't spoil the memory.
Speaker 9 (07:28):
No, on the contrary, So can you watch the.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
Match with us, Lamb, I would love to. Well, let
me present Joseph to your father and we'll be down
in a minute.
Speaker 9 (07:40):
I'll save us some seats.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Well.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Well, yeah, you were right.
Speaker 10 (07:47):
She's beautiful, I told you, and in need of a
good French husband, according to her father, Monsieur tan van
Hue And oh, come on, I'll introduce you.
Speaker 5 (07:59):
He's over there with my father. Father Monsieur, please allow
me to introduce Joseph Sherman out here from the United States.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
But not the senator's youngest. So you're back after all
this time. What a pleasant surprise. What happened on that
trip was so tragic.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Yes, it was a tragedy, but time heals all wounds.
Maybe maybe do you still take coups out hunting?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
No? No, I never did.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
After No, my father's now the deputy chief of.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
Congratulations.
Speaker 7 (08:47):
Though, I imagine keeping the peace and Saigon is a
tough job.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Well, it's simply a question of balance, monsieur.
Speaker 11 (08:57):
Ah, you're too modest, monsieur. It is only through your
constant vigilance that our streets are peaceful and the people
prosperous and pleased.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
To hear you acknowledge her efforts.
Speaker 11 (09:07):
But of course, the civilizing influence of French culture has
helped all of Vietnam.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
I wish you could explain that to your younger generation.
Speaker 11 (09:16):
Time they will learn to appreciate what France has given us.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Well, I'm not sure they want to, or maybe they can't.
Your son went to Paris and all he learned was
how to play tennis as afuce women.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
Maybe any how to eat well. You cannot have acquired
the physique has now from rice and moods.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Anyway, this afternoon will be interesting. Let's see if your
boy can addle pressure. I hope he knows who he
is up against today.
Speaker 11 (09:44):
Of course, Monsieur Pinot is the champion. My boy just
wants to put up a good showing.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Come on, Joseph, they're getting ready to start. We should
find our seats.
Speaker 12 (09:57):
Father, enjoy the game, monsie okay out.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Gonzilo Pino began the game strongly with fast serves down
the middle of the tegue. But while he quickly raced
to a three love lead, those who knew the game
soon saw a pattern developing.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
These rallies are getting longer.
Speaker 9 (10:38):
Yes, I think my brother is fitter.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Soon it was five to four, and although Pino was
serving for the set, fatigue was taking its toll and
Pino's mistakes were mounting.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
Such you could feel the crowd behind him.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Vietnam out to win this set.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Kim did when the first sat and quickly established a
lead in the second. As the French champion, Monsieur Pino
grew more and more exhausted, until finally, on one point,
he dived to reach the ball and crashed heavily to
the ground.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
I think gets his knee.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
Hopefully he can run.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
What Why is the crowd so angry? Kim's playing wonderful tennis.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
He's sitting the ground strokes from one corner to the other.
He's making Pino run when he's injured.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
He's playing well. What's wrong with that? Isn't that the point?
Speaker 9 (12:04):
The problem is he's humiliating his opponents and whipping up
the crowd.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Now, what's going on? What are they saying?
Speaker 5 (12:19):
There's some trouble in the crowd. They're chanting old French
are dogs. The umpire needs to stop the match, Aret match, monsieur.
Oh my god, what's happening. I've got to go and
help break it up. It's getting ugly. I don't think
(12:41):
you should be here, Joseph. Can you escort us?
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Of course, Len you know the way.
Speaker 13 (12:46):
Yes, that's up outside.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Joseph hailed a horse drawn malabar.
Speaker 12 (13:03):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Where are we going, land.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
Squad?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Let me help you there you go.
Speaker 9 (13:19):
Thank you, mister Sherman for being kind enough to take
care of me. I'm sorry you had to see such
ugly things happen. Unfortunately, the hearts of many Vietnamese are
filled with hatred.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Not at all.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
I'm glad to help man, and I have to say
I I envy Paul.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
You envy.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh.
Speaker 9 (13:44):
Oh, no, Captain de Voix is a good friend, mister Sherman.
But that is all.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Oh well, he's he's very fond of you, he told
me so, and.
Speaker 9 (13:54):
My father admires him greatly. He believes he's a fine
young man. Yes, yes, he will be most unhappy with
Kim Paul will be no, my father, he will be
very upset. Oh, please stay with me until he returns home.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
Oh, yes, of course, it will be my pleasure.
Speaker 9 (14:24):
Please this way.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Oh, this is beautiful man, Thank you.
Speaker 9 (14:39):
How long will you be staying in Psycho sureman?
Speaker 7 (14:42):
Oh well, I was heading to Hanoi on Tuesday, so
at the moment, only two or three days. But I
could extend that Hanoi. Yes, I've been granted access to
the court records of earlier Vietnamese emperors. I'm here to
write a feature article on Vietnam.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
Oh, but after the tragedy of your first visit.
Speaker 7 (15:04):
That wasn't Vietnam's fault. That was all my father's doing.
He dreamt he he was a great white hunter, that
he could be the king of the jungle and shoot
his way through a herd of wild bison. He was
warned to be careful and he wasn't. So yes, he
cost him his life.
Speaker 9 (15:23):
So sad for a young boy to lose his father.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
Thank you.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
I I remember you cried for him.
Speaker 9 (15:33):
No, I cried for you, the little boy who lost
his father. Joseph. There's something I've been meaning to ask you.
Speaker 14 (15:47):
Yes see, I will do it all again tomorrow. I
want you all you want to do. Father, any French slave,
we miss you.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
No miss you, and it is about respect.
Speaker 15 (16:05):
Mister Sherman, you just leaveing, monsieur, thank you for looking
after my daughter, my pleasure.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
I will see you out.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Mister Charman, thank you.
Speaker 8 (16:22):
I won that game.
Speaker 14 (16:23):
Father.
Speaker 8 (16:24):
I want it be honest, Kim.
Speaker 15 (16:28):
You want it for you. You only pretend to be
a committed nationalist.
Speaker 8 (16:32):
I am a committed nationalist.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
You're a privileged playboy.
Speaker 15 (16:37):
The privilege I have bought you mean that you don't
have to work for anything. You can just eat and
train and then win a tennis match so you can
sleep with all the women you want.
Speaker 11 (16:48):
You dress it up as nationalism.
Speaker 14 (16:50):
All I wanted to do was to embarrass the French
dogs who have robbed our country.
Speaker 11 (16:55):
Nonsense.
Speaker 15 (16:57):
Do you think I'm blind? You have endangered our business
and our family for nothing, for cheap sex. You hide
behind these slogans of nationalism, but you have no real
commitment to that cause at all.
Speaker 11 (17:11):
You have not shown any real commitment to anything.
Speaker 15 (17:15):
I have bred a shallow, selfish sun who cannot make
any sacrifice at all. Yes, losing today would have been
a sacrifice. Yes, it would have been a sacrifice for
your family.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Leave my house, get out, ah.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
Father, Ah, none.
Speaker 11 (17:55):
I trust you enjoyed the afternoon with Captain Devereux.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Very much, and mister Sherman was also kind to me.
Speaker 11 (18:04):
I hope Captain Devereux did not consider Kim's actions reflected
any any United Family posture.
Speaker 9 (18:12):
No, Father, not at all. He knew how upset you
would be, and I thought it best to offer no comment,
not without hearing your advice first.
Speaker 11 (18:23):
It's very wise, mane. It is important you stay in
Captain Devereux's favor.
Speaker 9 (18:29):
Yes, of course, father, What was that Kim? Should I
go and check?
Speaker 15 (18:41):
No, do not see him. He is leaving this house,
leaving he treats the family, He treats me with total
contempt ever since he got home from Paris, and after
today and all that complete disrespect, he has to.
Speaker 9 (19:01):
Go I understand. Is there anything else I can do
for you? Father?
Speaker 5 (19:09):
No, I have business to attend to.
Speaker 11 (19:14):
We dine at six.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
This was a family divided in a country divided, and
their paths would soon be swept up in the hurricane
of history.
Speaker 11 (19:35):
Three thousand three, Duty.
Speaker 5 (19:39):
Old on import.
Speaker 8 (19:41):
I thought you'd be here. I told you to go. Huh,
and I will when I'm ready.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Hey, Hey, what are you doing?
Speaker 15 (19:54):
H is that is that blood on it?
Speaker 4 (20:00):
You've got blood everywhere.
Speaker 5 (20:02):
Don't worry.
Speaker 8 (20:03):
I'm going, but not without a gift. Something you can
remember me by.
Speaker 11 (20:10):
What What is this?
Speaker 8 (20:14):
Your future? The family heritage?
Speaker 11 (20:20):
What have you done?
Speaker 5 (20:22):
My manhood?
Speaker 1 (20:27):
And Mensieur Hugh realized the bloody mess in the bag
was his son's screwtum he had castrated himself.
Speaker 14 (20:36):
No, you don't think I can make a sacrifice. You
don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
Well this is me.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
This is what I am now.
Speaker 14 (20:53):
So you just go on hiding here in fear of
being a problem.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
You'd this.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
He's of the family, father, not me. Goodbye.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
It was the last time Kim would ever see his father,
and the impact of that explosive afternoon would ripple down
the years in ever expanding ways. Never again would one
tennis match change so much for so many.
Speaker 11 (21:52):
Saigon is a production of Thoroughbred Studios, gold Hog Productions
and iHeart Podcasts, starring Kelly, Marie Trent and Rob Benedict.
Based on the best selling novel Cygone by Anthony Gray,
It is created for audio by Greg Hadrick and Jeremy Fox,
written by Greg Hadrick and directed by John Scott Dryden.
(22:13):
Original music is by Sasha Putnam, with additional performances by
Normgnir and Letty big Cheer. Editing and sound design is
by Elouise Whitmore. The series producer is Emma Hern. The
producer in Vietnam is Fatmung Mihen. The executive producers are
Jeremy Fox, Greg Hadrick, John Scott Dryden, Howard Stringer and
(22:34):
Jason English.
My name is Trim and this is Saigon, the story
of my family and of the country that shaped us.
The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however,
great take over another time.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
O allow.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
God, who got from natural excursion, has brought only.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Come you to get out with you wand a bad
very babler sounds babler.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
That can be no peace without justice, and that can
be no justice without peace.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Chapter one.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
In nineteen thirty five, a tennis match was played in
Saigon Serk sportieth, but it was far from an ordinary
tennis match. It was the final of the Saigon City
Championship and the first time ever a Vietnamese national had
qualified to play against the French champion, Jewel Pino. Only
(01:29):
a few years earlier, our French rulers had needed tanks
and artillery to defeat a proud Vietnamese resistance demanding independence,
and after gaining victory, they guillotined over two hundred Vietnamese insurgents.
But the widespread desire for independence had not been defeated.
(01:52):
It had only been silenced, and now behind the genteel
mask of a tanness match, it exploded to the surface.
There are two young men in the crowd watching the game,
(02:15):
an American and a Frenchman. They had been childhood friends
and had met again after eleven years. That very morning,
in fact, when the American whose name is Joseph, arrived
at the Continental Palace hotel in Saigon.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Bonjour, I have a room booked. The name's Joseph Sherman. Joseph, I, yes, Joseph,
But my god, it really is you.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
So good to see you again, Mona mee.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
God.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
You haven't changed the.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
Beats, neither of you. But how did you even know
I was coming?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
You made the morning's papers look Senator Sherman's returns to
Saigon ten years after tragedy.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Let me see that. Okay, well that's unexpected.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
It made me think about well they were good times,
but about your father too. What about coffee du cafes?
You believe? Yes? Now, what are you to, Joseph? Tell
me everything.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
I'm actually here writing a piece for the chronicle. But honestly,
what I really wanted to do was having excuse to
come back.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
What about you now? I'm with the Jean de Marie.
Speaker 7 (03:40):
The Gendarmerie. I never saw you as a policeman. You're
always a bit of a rebel.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
I'm the sort of Frenchman who wants to keep law
in order by embracing Vietnamese culture, not fighting it.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
See that sounds like Paul I knew when I was Gosh,
what were we fifteen sixteen.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
On that hunting trip. I just turned sixteen.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Pretty young when you think about it.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Well, there have been some exciting times while you've been away.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
You mean the battle for independence.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Yes, that was ugly. Luckily we brought everything back under control,
though I'm.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
Sure you did, although I doubt you've really changed the
way the Vietnamese feel.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
No, but we have stopped the violence. They're learning to
be civilized now. In fact, you should come out to
the circus partif today there is a tennis match on
the men's singles final. Actually, May, what's the time we
have to go now? Absolutely more drink up. The whole
(04:50):
city is treating this tennis match like a proxy fight
between the locals and their French masters. That's how they
express their feelings. Now, you see on the tennis court,
much more reasonable and in fact, you love this the
local boys. Tran Van Kim.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
You mean our Kim. It's a skinny, shy kid who
followed us everywhere.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
That's him.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
That's incredible. I'd be good to see him again.
Speaker 5 (05:16):
He's become quite a plain boy.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
You don't say.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
And you remember Kim's sister.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Land, Yeah, and she never said much. She's a little girl.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
Right, Well, she's a real beauty now shes suplay. Come on, we're.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Here, well, Land, you sounds smitten.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
She's twenty now and she wears the Audai like an angel.
So beautiful. Well, a man can dream, Joseph and plan,
but I have to impress her father more than her.
That's the first step. Yes, of course, this way, members enclosure.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Excuse him?
Speaker 5 (06:03):
What yes, JEPPI.
Speaker 8 (06:11):
Captain of course, excuse enjoy the match.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Your name obviously opens gates.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
It's because of my father than me. Oh, he's in
the administration.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
What's happening over there?
Speaker 5 (06:28):
That's him. That's Kim in the middle of all those
young women. I told you he's a bit of a playboy.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Now it's not a skinny, shy kid anymore.
Speaker 5 (06:38):
Well not anymore. Oh, we're over here. Excuse me to play?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Thank you?
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Excuse him.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
They threaded their way to the members enclosure, which was
a roped off section of the best seats square, Joseph Land.
Speaker 9 (06:56):
It is Joseph, isn't it Joseph Sherman.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
You remember him?
Speaker 9 (07:01):
Of course, I've read you were back. Oh, and such
a pleasure to see you again, Monster.
Speaker 7 (07:07):
Devo likewise likewise, but you were just I never would
have recognized you.
Speaker 9 (07:12):
Yes, I was just a little girl when you were
here the first time. But it's so good to see
you again.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Sorry, I'm amazed you remember me.
Speaker 9 (07:19):
You made quite an impression a teenage American boy who
was so kind to his friend's little sister.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Good. I hope seeing me again doesn't spoil the memory.
Speaker 9 (07:28):
No, on the contrary, So can you watch the.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
Match with us, Lamb, I would love to. Well, let
me present Joseph to your father and we'll be down
in a minute.
Speaker 9 (07:40):
I'll save us some seats.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Well.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Well, yeah, you were right.
Speaker 10 (07:47):
She's beautiful, I told you, and in need of a
good French husband, according to her father, Monsieur tan van
Hue And oh, come on, I'll introduce you.
Speaker 5 (07:59):
He's over there with my father. Father Monsieur, please allow
me to introduce Joseph Sherman out here from the United States.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
But not the senator's youngest. So you're back after all
this time. What a pleasant surprise. What happened on that
trip was so tragic.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Yes, it was a tragedy, but time heals all wounds.
Maybe maybe do you still take coups out hunting?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
No? No, I never did.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
After No, my father's now the deputy chief of.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
Congratulations.
Speaker 7 (08:47):
Though, I imagine keeping the peace and Saigon is a
tough job.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Well, it's simply a question of balance, monsieur.
Speaker 11 (08:57):
Ah, you're too modest, monsieur. It is only through your
constant vigilance that our streets are peaceful and the people
prosperous and pleased.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
To hear you acknowledge her efforts.
Speaker 11 (09:07):
But of course, the civilizing influence of French culture has
helped all of Vietnam.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
I wish you could explain that to your younger generation.
Speaker 11 (09:16):
Time they will learn to appreciate what France has given us.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Well, I'm not sure they want to, or maybe they can't.
Your son went to Paris and all he learned was
how to play tennis as afuce women.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
Maybe any how to eat well. You cannot have acquired
the physique has now from rice and moods.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Anyway, this afternoon will be interesting. Let's see if your
boy can addle pressure. I hope he knows who he
is up against today.
Speaker 11 (09:44):
Of course, Monsieur Pinot is the champion. My boy just
wants to put up a good showing.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Come on, Joseph, they're getting ready to start. We should
find our seats.
Speaker 12 (09:57):
Father, enjoy the game, monsie okay out.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Gonzilo Pino began the game strongly with fast serves down
the middle of the tegue. But while he quickly raced
to a three love lead, those who knew the game
soon saw a pattern developing.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
These rallies are getting longer.
Speaker 9 (10:38):
Yes, I think my brother is fitter.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Soon it was five to four, and although Pino was
serving for the set, fatigue was taking its toll and
Pino's mistakes were mounting.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
Such you could feel the crowd behind him.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Vietnam out to win this set.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Kim did when the first sat and quickly established a
lead in the second. As the French champion, Monsieur Pino
grew more and more exhausted, until finally, on one point,
he dived to reach the ball and crashed heavily to
the ground.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
I think gets his knee.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
Hopefully he can run.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
What Why is the crowd so angry? Kim's playing wonderful tennis.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
He's sitting the ground strokes from one corner to the other.
He's making Pino run when he's injured.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
He's playing well. What's wrong with that? Isn't that the point?
Speaker 9 (12:04):
The problem is he's humiliating his opponents and whipping up
the crowd.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Now, what's going on? What are they saying?
Speaker 5 (12:19):
There's some trouble in the crowd. They're chanting old French
are dogs. The umpire needs to stop the match, Aret match, monsieur.
Oh my god, what's happening. I've got to go and
help break it up. It's getting ugly. I don't think
(12:41):
you should be here, Joseph. Can you escort us?
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Of course, Len you know the way.
Speaker 13 (12:46):
Yes, that's up outside.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Joseph hailed a horse drawn malabar.
Speaker 12 (13:03):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Where are we going, land.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
Squad?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Let me help you there you go.
Speaker 9 (13:19):
Thank you, mister Sherman for being kind enough to take
care of me. I'm sorry you had to see such
ugly things happen. Unfortunately, the hearts of many Vietnamese are
filled with hatred.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Not at all.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
I'm glad to help man, and I have to say
I I envy Paul.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
You envy.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh.
Speaker 9 (13:44):
Oh, no, Captain de Voix is a good friend, mister Sherman.
But that is all.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Oh well, he's he's very fond of you, he told
me so, and.
Speaker 9 (13:54):
My father admires him greatly. He believes he's a fine
young man. Yes, yes, he will be most unhappy with
Kim Paul will be no, my father, he will be
very upset. Oh, please stay with me until he returns home.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
Oh, yes, of course, it will be my pleasure.
Speaker 9 (14:24):
Please this way.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Oh, this is beautiful man, Thank you.
Speaker 9 (14:39):
How long will you be staying in Psycho sureman?
Speaker 7 (14:42):
Oh well, I was heading to Hanoi on Tuesday, so
at the moment, only two or three days. But I
could extend that Hanoi. Yes, I've been granted access to
the court records of earlier Vietnamese emperors. I'm here to
write a feature article on Vietnam.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
Oh, but after the tragedy of your first visit.
Speaker 7 (15:04):
That wasn't Vietnam's fault. That was all my father's doing.
He dreamt he he was a great white hunter, that
he could be the king of the jungle and shoot
his way through a herd of wild bison. He was
warned to be careful and he wasn't. So yes, he
cost him his life.
Speaker 9 (15:23):
So sad for a young boy to lose his father.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
Thank you.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
I I remember you cried for him.
Speaker 9 (15:33):
No, I cried for you, the little boy who lost
his father. Joseph. There's something I've been meaning to ask you.
Speaker 14 (15:47):
Yes see, I will do it all again tomorrow. I
want you all you want to do. Father, any French slave,
we miss you.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
No miss you, and it is about respect.
Speaker 15 (16:05):
Mister Sherman, you just leaveing, monsieur, thank you for looking
after my daughter, my pleasure.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
I will see you out.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Mister Charman, thank you.
Speaker 8 (16:22):
I won that game.
Speaker 14 (16:23):
Father.
Speaker 8 (16:24):
I want it be honest, Kim.
Speaker 15 (16:28):
You want it for you. You only pretend to be
a committed nationalist.
Speaker 8 (16:32):
I am a committed nationalist.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
You're a privileged playboy.
Speaker 15 (16:37):
The privilege I have bought you mean that you don't
have to work for anything. You can just eat and
train and then win a tennis match so you can
sleep with all the women you want.
Speaker 11 (16:48):
You dress it up as nationalism.
Speaker 14 (16:50):
All I wanted to do was to embarrass the French
dogs who have robbed our country.
Speaker 11 (16:55):
Nonsense.
Speaker 15 (16:57):
Do you think I'm blind? You have endangered our business
and our family for nothing, for cheap sex. You hide
behind these slogans of nationalism, but you have no real
commitment to that cause at all.
Speaker 11 (17:11):
You have not shown any real commitment to anything.
Speaker 15 (17:15):
I have bred a shallow, selfish sun who cannot make
any sacrifice at all. Yes, losing today would have been
a sacrifice. Yes, it would have been a sacrifice for
your family.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Leave my house, get out, ah.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
Father, Ah, none.
Speaker 11 (17:55):
I trust you enjoyed the afternoon with Captain Devereux.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Very much, and mister Sherman was also kind to me.
Speaker 11 (18:04):
I hope Captain Devereux did not consider Kim's actions reflected
any any United Family posture.
Speaker 9 (18:12):
No, Father, not at all. He knew how upset you
would be, and I thought it best to offer no comment,
not without hearing your advice first.
Speaker 11 (18:23):
It's very wise, mane. It is important you stay in
Captain Devereux's favor.
Speaker 9 (18:29):
Yes, of course, father, What was that Kim? Should I
go and check?
Speaker 15 (18:41):
No, do not see him. He is leaving this house,
leaving he treats the family, He treats me with total
contempt ever since he got home from Paris, and after
today and all that complete disrespect, he has to.
Speaker 9 (19:01):
Go I understand. Is there anything else I can do
for you? Father?
Speaker 5 (19:09):
No, I have business to attend to.
Speaker 11 (19:14):
We dine at six.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
This was a family divided in a country divided, and
their paths would soon be swept up in the hurricane
of history.
Speaker 11 (19:35):
Three thousand three, Duty.
Speaker 5 (19:39):
Old on import.
Speaker 8 (19:41):
I thought you'd be here. I told you to go. Huh,
and I will when I'm ready.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Hey, Hey, what are you doing?
Speaker 15 (19:54):
H is that is that blood on it?
Speaker 4 (20:00):
You've got blood everywhere.
Speaker 5 (20:02):
Don't worry.
Speaker 8 (20:03):
I'm going, but not without a gift. Something you can
remember me by.
Speaker 11 (20:10):
What What is this?
Speaker 8 (20:14):
Your future? The family heritage?
Speaker 11 (20:20):
What have you done?
Speaker 5 (20:22):
My manhood?
Speaker 1 (20:27):
And Mensieur Hugh realized the bloody mess in the bag
was his son's screwtum he had castrated himself.
Speaker 14 (20:36):
No, you don't think I can make a sacrifice. You
don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
Well this is me.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
This is what I am now.
Speaker 14 (20:53):
So you just go on hiding here in fear of
being a problem.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
You'd this.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
He's of the family, father, not me. Goodbye.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
It was the last time Kim would ever see his father,
and the impact of that explosive afternoon would ripple down
the years in ever expanding ways. Never again would one
tennis match change so much for so many.
Speaker 11 (21:52):
Saigon is a production of Thoroughbred Studios, gold Hog Productions
and iHeart Podcasts, starring Kelly, Marie Trent and Rob Benedict.
Based on the best selling novel Cygone by Anthony Gray,
It is created for audio by Greg Hadrick and Jeremy Fox,
written by Greg Hadrick and directed by John Scott Dryden.
(22:13):
Original music is by Sasha Putnam, with additional performances by
Normgnir and Letty big Cheer. Editing and sound design is
by Elouise Whitmore. The series producer is Emma Hern. The
producer in Vietnam is Fatmung Mihen. The executive producers are
Jeremy Fox, Greg Hadrick, John Scott Dryden, Howard Stringer and
(22:34):
Jason English.
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.